Rock-and-roll legend David Bowie died Sunday after a secret battle against cancer, his publicist confirmed early Monday.

He had turned 69 on Friday.

The singer-songwriter, whose decades of hits redefined rock music and whose gender-bending alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, became a pop-culture icon, passed away at his London home, his loved ones at his bedside.

“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer,” read a statement on his website.

“While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”

Bowie had just released an album, “Blackstar,” and was in New York last month for the opening of an off-Broadway show based on his music, “Lazarus.”

A tribute to the artist, whom Rolling Stone magazine called “the consummate musical chameleon,” had already been planned at Carnegie Hall for March, featuring the Roots, Cyndi Lauper and the Mountain Goats.

“David Bowie has been a folk singer, androgyne, alien, decadent, blue-eyed soul man, art-rocker and a modern pop star, with each persona spawning a new league of imitators,” the magazine said.

Born David Robert Jones in Brixton, London, Bowie was an “artistic” child who was heavily influenced by American rock and roll.

David Bowie as “Ziggy Stardust”Everett Collection ; WireImage

He changed his last name to Bowie out of fear of being confused with Davy Jones of The Monkees.

Bowie’s self-titled debut album was released in 1967, followed by a single for the surreal folk-rock anthem “Space Oddity” in 1969.

He soon developed the persona of Ziggy Stardust, known for flamboyant pantsuits, sexual ambiguity and psychedelic rock swagger.

That concept character and the music from the album “Ziggy Stardust” influenced generations of musicians in genres as diverse as folk and glam rock.

He featured heavier rock with his 1970 album, “The Man Who Sold the World.”

Bowie also created the persona The Thin White Duke for his “Station to Station” album in 1976, which included “Hunky Dory,” a tribute to Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground.

He continued with a string of hits for decades, including “Let’s Dance,” “China Girl,” “Suffragette City” and “Star Man.”

David Bowie performs at the Hammersmith Appollo in London.

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2013: David Bowie in a scene for the short film "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" that accompanies his eponymously titled single.

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2004: David Bowie performs at The Nokia Isle of Wight Festival at Seaclose Park in Newport, Isle of Wight, UK.

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2002: Iman and David Bowie at an event in New York.

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2002: David Bowie performing in Paris

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2003: David Bowie performs in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

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1997: David Bowie performs during a concert celebrating his 50th birthday, at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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1997: David Bowie performing during a German TV program in Münster, Germany.

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1986: David Bowie as he appeared in "Labyrinth."

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1985: David Bowie performing at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in London.

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In 1974

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1976: David Bowie in Helsinki.

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1973: David Bowie with model Twiggy for the cover of his "Pin Ups" album.